![Minnesota's running back David Cobb (27) ran for a 6-yard touchdown in the second quarter as the Gophers took on the Iowa Hawkeyes, Saturday, November 8, 2014 at TCF Stadium in Minneapolis, MN. ] (ELIZABETH FLORES/STAR TRIBUNE) ELIZABETH FLORES • eflores@startribune.com](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/BRRFU7JY7Z4UEUZFWTND2STXXY.jpg?&w=1080)
David Cobb still ranks third in the nation with 25.2 rushes per game, but the Gophers lightened his load in last week's win over Iowa, giving him 16 carries for 74 yards. And the week before that, Minnesota had a bye.
"I was just telling my running backs coach I feel as good as I did at the start of the season," said Cobb, who ranks ninth in the nation with 133.9 yards per game.
Cobb made an impact even when he wasn't carrying the ball against Iowa. Coach Jerry Kill was thrilled with Cobb's blocking, which helped give Mitch Leidner more time to pass and helped open holes for KJ Maye on the jet sweep. Blocking well will only help raise Cobb's NFL Draft stock.
"They all know he can run, and if he blocks well, he'll make a lot of money," Kill said. "So I think a good back does that, and it is unselfish. But if you want to have all the goals that he has in life, he knows he's got to be able to block."
